Don’t be a couch potato

Born to run: Training at Willesden Sports Centre

If you prefer runner beans to running, then gardening could make you thin as a rake . According to the experts, a few hou rs gardening can do wonders for your health and well-being – and it’s cheaper than going to the gym. Half an hour’s digging and shovellin g burns up to 250 calories, while haul ing out weeds and forking the ground will give you a great workout. If you don’t have your own garden, why not join one of Bren t’s gardening groups? We have several and can put you in touch with them.

Dig this: Half an hour of gardening could burn up to 250 calories. See page 24 for more

Sponsor good causes here:

uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BobbyTh omas www.stlukes-hospice.org/runwe mbley or call 020 8382 8056.

On your marks, get set: Brent’s Mayor, Councillor Bobby Thomas (right) running for charity and James Winter (left)

Brent Council has just launched a number of self-lead walks, if going for a stroll is your thing. Available online, there are a variety of routes to choose from . There is also a well-established walk s program, which runs weekly from eight local parks. Whether it is walking, gardening or one of the other activities on offer in Bren t, as long as you are moving more and not sitting on the couch, your fitness is going to improve. Gabrielle Harvey, Brent Council’s Healthy Lifestyles Manger, said: “It’s easy to be active in Brent, than ks to some new initiatives and our wide rang e of activities. We’ve got beautiful park s and great facilities, and now that sprin g’s arrived it’s the perfect time to get out and enjoy being outdoors.”

Find out more:

www.brent.gov.uk/sports www.brent.gov.uk/healthyliving www.willesdentriathlon.co.uk www.sudburycourt.org.uk/index .php www.parkrun.org.uk/gladstone

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER SPRING 2012 2014

THE BRENT MAGAZINE

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